How To Dry Ski Gloves

by Frank V. Persall

Getting out into the snow is exhilarating; there is no doubt about that. However, it also comes with some downsides including wet clothing. This leads many people to ask the question of how to dry ski gloves and the answer may be more complex than you first imagined. 

It is important that, when you dry your gloves, you do not place them directly on a heat source. Instead, allowing the gloves to dry in a warm place will protect the material from potential damage. In addition to this, you can remove the inner lining of the gloves if you want to speed things up a little. 

We have experienced damaged ski gloves as a result of improper drying one too many times. So, we decided to search for the best way to dry your gloves without causing damage and we’d love to share what we found.

How To Dry Ski Gloves
How To Dry Ski Gloves

The Best Way To Dry Ski Gloves

When you are out on the slopes, it can be extremely miserable when your gloves are wet and cold. The entire point of them is to keep your hands nice and toasty while you enjoy skiing. But it is inevitable that they are going to get wet. 

One of the best things that you can do to avoid your ski gloves getting too soggy is to purchase gloves that are waterproof or water resistant. It is important to remember that there is a significant difference between the two:

  • Waterproof means that water is unable to penetrate through the fabric and will instead roll off. 
  • Water-resistant means that while the fabric is very tightly woven and water will have a hard time getting through, there is a limit to this.

Not only will a pair of waterproof ski gloves keep your hands drier, but when it comes to drying them off, it won’t take anywhere near as long. 

You should also consider the type of gloves you are using. If you are going to be skiing in slightly warmer conditions, then you may want to avoid thick gloves or those that are not breathable like leather ski gloves. Wearing these will cause you to perspire and the inside may become moist and uncomfortable.  

With all of that in mind, there is no doubt that your gloves will become wet to a degree and the best way to dry them is in a warm, dry place. Inside your gloves, you will typically find a label with details on how to care for them and this is the best place to start. However, you should never place your gloves directly onto a heat source as this could cause them to shrink or become damaged. 

Please Note 

This is especially important if you are using leather ski gloves as this type of glove should be treated with special care. After washing, these gloves should be left to air dry. Once they have dried out, you can apply a leather care solution to each glove to reinforce their waterproof design and keep them from cracking.

 Regardless of the material of your mittens, you should try to place them in an upright position. Doing this will allow air to circulate around the gloves which will in turn, dry them much faster. 

You can remove the lining from the inside of the gloves and hang them on a washing line. If you are going to do this, make sure that you always hang the mittens by the fingers, otherwise you may find that water pools in the ends - nobody wants that kind of nasty surprise!

How Do You Dry Skiing Gloves Overnight

If you are on a longer skiing trip, then it is likely that you will need your gloves every day. Short of buying an extra pair of mittens, there are ways that you can dry your gloves overnight.

You will need to take the tube from the middle of a roll of paper towel and place this inside each of the gloves. Now you can hang the mittens over a vent or a radiator. Remember that putting the gloves directly onto a radiator could damage them so ensure that there is a significant gap and let the hot air rise and work its magic. 

Alternatively, you can find a well-ventilated area and leave the gloves here overnight. Unless the air is particularly moist or it is very cold, you will find that the gloves dry out pretty easily. 

But we should also point out that the more breathable the material of the mittens, the quicker they will dry.

Ski Mittens Drying On Radiator
Ski Mittens Drying On Radiator

How To Quickly Dry Skiing Gloves

If you are pushed for time, then you will likely want to get your gloves dry in a quicker time frame. This is possible and there are a couple of methods that work well for skiing mittens. The first is a boot dryer. A boot dryer is a piece of equipment that can be found in many ski resorts and makes use of heated tubes that gently heat the inside of the gloves.

While we wouldn’t typically recommend using a direct source of heat, this method is much more delicate. The boot dryer will only heat up to the temperature of the gloves which prevents them from shrinking or becoming damaged. 

If you do not have access to a boot dryer to get your gloves fresh and dry then you might try using your hair dryer. This is a great quickfire solution for drying skiing mittens but you shouldn’t use this as your go-to method. 

Hairdryer
Hairdryer

When using the hair dryer for your mittens, always make sure that you use it on the lowest settings. If the dryer has a cool button - use it! Place the gloves down onto a surface and gently blow the warm air onto the outside. When this part is over, you can direct some of the warm air inside the gloves, being careful not to let it heat up too much.

 Summary

Skiing gloves are one of the most important garments for those who regularly take to the slopes. However, getting your gloves dry can be a pressing issue. If the gloves are made from leather, you must take special care when drying them. However, other materials should be cared for too since they could become damaged when exposed to heat. 

Air-drying your gloves is one of the best ways to remove moisture and you should never palace them over a direct source of heat. However, a boot dryer can be used to apply ambient air to the gloves to gently dry them. 

If you have an innovative way of drying gloves, we would love to hear about it. Or, if you simply want more handy tips for skiing, we have plenty to offer.

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About Frank V. Persall

Frank is originally from the UK, but he has a passion for skiing that knows no bounds. He has made it his life's mission to visit the best ski resorts across the USA and the World. Frank loves spending time with his wife and three children on ski slopes, as they all share his love for the activity.

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